Michael J. Berthelot

With the finale of 2012 just around the corner, a meaningful adage for the medical technology industry to consider is, “Change is inevitable; growth is optional.” Whether it’s a new 2.3 percent excise tax on certain medical devices, a new president of the United States, a new global competitor, or even a new medical innovation that makes your technology obsolete, the reality is that change is a defining characteristic in the medtech world.

How a company chooses to deal with change is what determines if it will survive long term or if it finds itself unable to compete. Organizations that consistently evaluate how they can refocus or revitalize their enterprises are rewarded over time. Conversely, companies that do not embrace change and continue doing the same things over again tend to face very punishing markets.

This especially is pertinent for companies looking to compete on a global scale. In order to stay relevant and add the most value for their customers, medtech companies must adjust their innovations to meet the changing needs of the global healthcare environment.

Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that many industry leaders are receptive to this and are embracing change. For example, 2012 has revealed that the next wave of medical device innovations is employing power and robotics.

The following observations reflect my opinion as to how innovative medical technology firms are using power and robotics to adapt their existing and emerging medical technologies and positioning themselves for growth in 2013 and beyond.